Sign up to Roisin O’Connor’s free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free
Beyonce has unveiled “Spirit”, the rousing first track from an album of songs she has curated for the forthcoming reboot of The Lion King
Written by Beyoncé and Labrinth and featured in a pivotal moment in the film, the song marks the first peek at the star’s Lion King soundtrack album, titled The Gift , which will be released on 19 July. Beyoncé produced and curated the record, which will reportedly feature new tracks inspired by the film and performed by Beyoncé and a number of so-far unannounced African artists.
Show all 23 1 /2323 films to watch out for this summer 23 films to watch out for this summer Toy Story 4 Release date : 21 June
Twenty-four years after the first Toy Story was released, and nine years after the last one, Woody and Buzz Lightyear return for what is expected to be the gang's last hurrah.
Need-to-know : Annie Potts returns to voice Bo Peep for the first time since Toy Story 2 (1999),
Walt Disney Pictures
23 films to watch out for this summer Apollo 11 Release date : 28 June
Breathtaking footage and audio recordings will transport viewers directly into NASA's 1969 mission that saw astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin embark on a historic trip to the moon.
Need-to-know : The film, from Todd Douglas Miller, features footage that has never been seen before.
Neon
23 films to watch out for this summer In Fabric Release date : 28 June
British director Peter Strickland (The Duke of Burgundy) returns with a chiller following a cursed dress that haunts characters played by Hayley Squires, Marianne Jean Baptiste and Game of Thrones' Gwendoline Christie.
Need-to-know : Despite making his debut, Katalin Varga, in 2009, Strickland found critical acclaim with the Toby Jones-starring horror film Berberian Sound Studio in 2012.
Curzon Artificial Eye
23 films to watch out for this summer Yesterday Release date : 28 June
What would happen if you woke up one morning and the entire world had forgotten The Beatles? That's the question this Danny Boyle film – written by Richard Curtis – poses.
Need-to-know : Ed Sheeran and James Corden both cameo in the film that's led by Himish Patel, the actor best known (until now) for playing Tamwar Masood in EastEnders.
Universal Pictures
23 films to watch out for this summer Spider-Man: Far From Home Release date : 2 July
Following directly on from the devastating events of Avengers: Endgame, new Spider-Man film Far From Home propels Peter Parker (Tom Holland) on a collision course with the seemingly heroic Quentin Beck (Jake Gyllenhaal).
Need-to-know : This film will bring the Marvel Cinematic Universe's "third phase" to an end, ushering in a new era of superheroes and films.
Sony Pictures Releasing
23 films to watch out for this summer Midsommar Release date : 5 July
Hereditary director Ari Aster's new horror film Midsommar follows a couple visiting rural Sweden for a mid-summer festival that happens only once every 90 years. Unfortunately for them, they wander into the middle of a pagan cult ritual
Need-to-know : The entire film is rumoured to take place in broad daylight - unusual for a contemporary horror film.
A24
23 films to watch out for this summer Vita & Virginia Release date : 5 July
The love affair between poet Vita Sackville-West and novelist Virginia Woolf is put under the microscope in this new drama adapted by Eileen Atkins and director Chanya Button from the former's 1992 play Vita & Virginia.
Need-to-know : Eva Green and Andrea Riseborough were both attached to play Woolf before the role eventually went to Debicki.
Thunderbird Releasing
23 films to watch out for this summer Stuber Release date : 10 July
This fun-sounding action comedy follows an uber driver (The Big Sick star Kumail Nanjiani) who must keep his high rating despite his passenger being a detective, played by Dave Bautista, on the hunt for a terrorist. Think Die Hard meets Collateral.
Need-to-know : Although being R-rated in the US, the film is distributed by Disney.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
23 films to watch out for this summer The Dead Don't Die Release date : 12 July
Bill Murray, Adam Driver, Chloë Sevigny and Selena Gomez lead this all-star ensemble comedy from acclaimed filmmaker Jim Jarmusch (Broken Flowers, Paterson).
Need-to-know : This isn't the first zombie film Bill Murray will star in this year - in October, he'll play himself (again) in the long-awaited sequel to 2009's cult comedy Zombieland.
AP
23 films to watch out for this summer Pavarotti Release date : 15 July
Using archive footage and family interviews, this new documentary delves into the life of legendary operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti.
Need-to-know : This isn't Ron Howard's first music documentary. In 2016, he made documentary Eight Days a Week, which looked at the touring years of The Beatles.
HanWay Films
23 films to watch out for this summer The Lion King Release date : 19 July
Disney is hoping to repeat its Jungle Book success with the Jon Favreau-directed Lion King, the latest in a long line of live-action remakes of the studio's classics.
Need-to-know : Aside from concert film Homecoming, this marks the first big-screen credit since animated fantasy Epic in 2013.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
23 films to watch out for this summer The Chambermaid Release date : 26 July
The debut film from Mexican director Lila Avilés follows a chambermaid names Eve as she goes about her daily routine in one of Mexico City's most prestigious hotels.
Need-to-know : The film is one of the highest-rated films of 2019 on Rotten Tomatoes.
23 films to watch out for this summer Animals Release date : 2 August
Holliday Grainger and Alia Shawkat are best friends who love drink. For most of the movie, in fact, they are intoxicated. However, that changes when one of them gets engaged.
Need-to-know : Director Sophie Hyde's follow-up to 52 Tuesdays won rave reviews at Sundance earlier this year, with the two central performances being praised across the board.
23 films to watch out for this summer Fast & Furious: Hobbs and Shaw Release date : 2 August
The Rock and Jason Statham return as their Fast & Furious characters Hobbs and Shaw in what will no doubt be a thunderous thrill-ride.
Need-to-know : Idris Elba plays the film's villain, while Vanessa Kirby and Helen Mirren play Staham's sister and mother, respectively. And if that's not enough star power for you, Eddie Marsan, Keanu Reeves, Ryan Reynolds and Kevin Hart are all rumoured to have cameos in the film.
Universal Pictures
23 films to watch out for this summer Artemis Fowl Release date : 9 August
Adapted from Eoin Colfer's hugely popular novels, Artemis Fowl follows the eponymous child as he attempts to save his criminal father.
Need-to-know : Kenneth Branagh has directed the film, with the script written by Tony Award nominated playwright Conor McPherson. Harvey Weinstein was, at one time, a producer, but was removed following over 40 accusations of sexual harassment.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
23 films to watch out for this summer Spies in Disguise Release date : 9 August
Will Smith voices the worlds smoothest super-spy. Whereas James Bond saves the world wearing a tuxedo, Smith's Lance Sterling does so while disguised as a pigeon.
Need-to-know : Also voicing characters are Tom Holland, Rashida Jones, Karen Gillan, Ben Mendelsohn and Masi Oka. Oh, and DJ Khaled voices someone called Ears.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
23 films to watch out for this summer Once Upon a Time In Hollywood Release date : 14 August
Leonardo Di Caprio plays a washed- up, alcoholic actor. Brad Pitt plays Di Caprio's stunt double. The pair inadvertently get mixed up in the affairs of the Manson Family, with Margot Robbie playing victim Sharon Tate.
Need-to-know : Quentin Tarantino's ninth film was the talk of Cannes. Not just because of the sheer star-power, but because the director's story reportedly takes a controversial twist that split those people lucky enough to see the film.
Sony Pictures Releasing
23 films to watch out for this summer Transit Release date : 16 August
Franz Rogowski (who appeared in the break-out one-shot film Victoria) plays Georg, a man on the run. While in Marseille, he assumes the identity of a famous author and, by chance, ends up meeting that writer's wife and they fall in love.
Need-to-know : The German-language film has already been met with hugely positive reviews, scoring 96 per cent on the reviews aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes.
Curzon Artificial Eye
23 films to watch out for this summer Pain & Glory Release date : 23 August
Antonio Banderas plays a declining Spanish director in Pedro Almodóvar's Pain & Glory. Throughout the film, he recalls moments from the past, including past lovers, childhood experiences and the discovery of cinema.
Need-to-know : Pain & Glory competed for the Palme d’Or at Cannes and was widely recognised as one of the best films in the competition. Banderas ended up winning the award for Best Actor and his performance has already gained Oscar buzz.
Sony Pictures Releasing
23 films to watch out for this summer Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Release date : 23 August
A group of uncool teenagers find a book of scary stories that end up coming true. It's pretty much that simple.
Need-to-know : While the premise may not exactly be groundbreaking, the behind-the-camera team is enough to excite any horror aficionado. Directed by André Øvredal (Trollhunter), Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is produced by Oscar winner Guillermo del Toro (Blade 2, Hellboy) and J Miles Dale (who produced The Shape of Water).
Entertainment One
23 films to watch out for this summer The Souvenir Release date : 30 August
Joanna Hogg made the jump from television dramas to feature films in 2008 with the critically acclaimed Unrelated, featuring a pre-Loki Tom Hiddleston. Her next film, The Souvenir, has been met with equal praise. Starring Tilda Swinton, Richard Ayoade and Tom Burke, the film focusses on England's upper class in the 80s.
Need-to-know : Critics have poured adoration on The Souvenir, a sequel for which has already begun filming, with Robert Pattinson joining the cast.
Curzon Artificial Eye
23 films to watch out for this summer It: Chapter Two Release date : 6 September
Pennywise the Clown returns for round two with The Losers Club. Only, this time, they're not only ready, but 27 years older. Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy and Bill Hader play older versions of the club's members.
Need-to-know : It: Chapter One was a box-office sensation, and Chapter Two looks to achieve the same. While the film may focus on the grown-ups, the teenagers from the first film all return in flashbacks.
Warner Bros Pictures
23 films to watch out for this summer Downton Abbey Release date : 13 September
Taking place after the events of the television series, the Downton Abbey film centres on King George V and Queen Mary visiting the estate.
Need-to-know : Nearly all the regular cast members are returning from the main series. Additional faces include Imelda Staunton, Simon Jones and Tuppence Middleton.
Focus Features
In a statement, Beyoncé said: “This is sonic cinema. This is a new experience of storytelling. I wanted to do more than find a collection of songs that were inspired by the film. It is a mixture of genres and collaboration that isn’t one sound. It is influenced by everything from R&B, pop, hip hop and Afro Beat.”
She continued, “I wanted to put everyone on their own journey to link the storyline. Each song was written to reflect the film’s storytelling that gives the listener a chance to imagine their own imagery, while listening to a new contemporary interpretation. It was important that the music was not only performed by the most interesting and talented artists but also produced by the best African producers. Authenticity and heart were important to me.”
Beyoncé voices Nala in the Jon Favreau -directed reboot, which will be released simultaneously on 19 July alongside the film. A second soundtrack album, produced by Favreau and Hans Zimmer , will feature new renditions of the original film’s soundtrack, with Beyoncé and Donald Glover , who voices Simba in the film, performing “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies